I love attending art classes, as a participant.  I get to take the time to be in my own creative head space.  I learn different techniques, mediums and experiment with new ideas.   

One idea that really got me excited was painting using a messy background to create figures and florals. So excited was I that on I continued on with the process and felt a newfound excitement in what I was creating. 
The excitement felt like I was a child back playing, creating and making some really fun art. Before I knew it, I had started to create some really cute gals, they needed names and a story as they came to life before my eyes.

GIven my work is inspired by nature, these classy ladies are a departure to my current works. So why have I called them "Mildred Paints"? I felt child like and free when creating these beauties. well, here is the short story behind it. 

When I was a small child, possibly from a baby, my Dad had a nickname for me.  I don't know where it came from, how he came up with it, but I loved it.  As he did the countdown to throwing me into bed at bedtime, he would call me "Mildred Knickynooker".  I love the name; it brings back memories of me as a child with my Mum and Dad.
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So there you have it, why I have called this series "Mildred Paints". I feel like these gals could be your friends, family member or you....... who knows.  I had so much fun creating them, plus loads of feedback that they made people laugh.  

Mildred Paints was born, bringing colour and playfulness to my art practice. I hope you enjoy them as much as I love creating them.  They are going to be around for a long time. 

Featured Artwork:  Carla and the girls  

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For most of my working career, I worked remotely.  Mostly the companies were located in different states making remote work the most appropriate way to function. In 2020, many workers were forced into remote working along with school children.  To me, this was my normal way to operate, whereas, for many, it was a new and untested way to operate. 
With the onset of remote working, remote learning also escalated, particularly in areas not exposed to online learning. 
Artists that predominately held in-person classes were forced to embrace the world of online to be able to make ends meet and continue their business. 
Suddenly, artists and art classes from overseas we once earned to attend in person, were now in our bedrooms, home office or kitchen table.  All of a sudden online classes became the norm and in-person classes were a distant memory. Of course, now we have the opportunity to enjoy both.

Whilst online classes offer time flexibility as many are pre-recorded on-demand classes and individually paced, does it deliver on community, collaboration, physical art materials, demonstration and guidance?

In-person, classes tend to require more time and financial investment into your development than a short online course.  However, some fabulous online courses allow you to learn new techniques and genres with little financial investment.  It comes down to how disciplined you are to see it through. 

I feel there is a place for both growing and expanding as an artist.  I don't mind an online course here and there, but I do love attending in-person events and courses more, due to the connections, collaborations and personalised attention.

Which do you prefer online or in-person classes or do you mix it up and use both?
Featured artwork: Morning Walk